Bulb adapter for signal lamps



Feb. 7, 1928. 1,658,446

L. c. KUEHNER BULB ADAPTER FOR' SiGNAL LAMPS Filed June 2 1926 fiyalc r A TTOP/YE v5 Patented F ch. 7, 1928.

- p 1,658,446 I UNITED STATES PATENT. OFFICE.

LOUIS c. KUEHNER, or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOIB. TO ALEXANDER H. mnnmm,

' or sun. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

BULB ADAPTER FOR SIGNAL LAMPS.

Application filed June 28, 1923. Serial No. 118,976.

My invention relates to an adapter for incandescent bulbs to properly focus said bulbs with relation to the lens of a signal lamp.

' It is customary to make signal lamps having 1 lighted. It is desirable to mount the bulb socket in such a lamp in a definitely fixed position to accelerate the speed of assembly of such lamps and to preclude the possibility of any distortion of the relationship of such bulb socket with respect to the lens of the lamp, due to carelessness in handling such lamp or the negligent operation of those entrusted with its care.

I have found that such bulb sockets are frequently not correctly mounted so as to have the filament of thebulb in proper focal relationship with the lens of said lamp. Preferably I use selected or precision bulbs which have been chosen because of the correct location of the filaments thereof with respect to the sleeve, or metal band, with which each of said bulbs is provided.

The object of my present invention is to provide an adapter for each signal lamp whereby the precisionbulb is brought into correct focal position in such lamp with respect to the lens thereof, after which such adapter remains as a permanent part of said lamp, and thereafter it is only necessary to replace a burned out precision bulb with a new precision bulb and the same focal relationship is maintained between the filament of said new bulb and. the lens of said lamp as between thefilament of the old bulb and the lens of said lamp. This obviates the necessity of focally positioning each bulb with an extra sleeve, or arranging the metal sleeve of each bulb in proper focal position. By means of my adapter the same intensity of the beam orshaft of light is maintained, and it is possible to utilize a lessexpensive bulb than where each bulb must be independently focally positioned with regard to its filament.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention comprises the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more specifically described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown the preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it is to be understood that the invention comprehends changes, variations and modifications which come within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

Fig. I is a view of my adapter mounted in a socket, a signal lamp being shown in dotted outline.

Fig. II is a side elevation of my adapter.

Fig. 111- is a view taken on line IIIIII in Fig. I.

In order to correctly illustrate my invention, the views in the drawing are more or less distorted.

A designates a signal lamp of the usual design, B the optical lens thereof, C the base upon which a socket support D is mounted, and E is a socket provided with bayonet slots F.

1 designates a cylindrical sleeve and 2 a series of pins attached to the outside thereof, which pins are arranged to seat in the bayonet slots F of the socket E. Preferably I employ three ins 2 and mount these pins irregularly on the sleeve 1 so that it is only possible to place said sleeve in the socket in one definite position. 3 is another cylindrical sleeve provided with preferably two bayonet slots 4 into which pins 5 ordinarily provided on a sleeve 6 of a bulb 7 are inserted. The sleeve 3 is provided with a contact pin 8 whereby. the electric current is connected with the filament of the bulb 7.

The sleeve 3 is adjusted in the sleeve 1 so as to bring the filament of the bulb 7' into proper focal position with respect to the lens B, atwhich time the sleeve 3 is soldered or otherwise permanently secured in the socket 'E and then the sleeve 3 with the bulb 7 mounted therein is slipped into said sleeve 1, and by adjustment the pro or focal re-' lationship 'of the film of sai lamp with respect tothe lens B of said lamp is determined, after which solder or other securing means is employed to securely fasten the sleeve 3 in the sleeve 1. As I have already referred to, the bulb 7 is a recision bulb selected for the accuracy of t e position ofits filament with relation to the sleeve 6, so that when the bulb 7 is burned out it may be replaced with a new bulb of the recision type and the same focal relationship of the ow sleeve, means whereby said sleeve may be mounted in a socket carried by a signal lamp, a second sleeve mounted in said first named sleeve and adapted to receive an incandescent bulb and provided with contact means whereby electrical connection is made with said incandescent bulb, said second sleeve being adjusted within said first named sleeve to bring the filament of said bulb into proper focal position in said signal lamp and then secured in said first named sleeve in its said adjusted position, substantially as described.

2. An adapter for an incandescent bulb provided with a filament, comprising a cylindrical sleeve, pins carried by said sleeve whereby it may be mounted in a socket carried by a signal lamp, a second cylindrical sleeve mounted in an adjusted position in said first named sleeve and adapted to receive an incandescent bulb having a filament therein and provided with contact means eeaaae whereby electrical connection is made with said incandescent bulb, said second sleeve being adjusted within said first named sleeve to bring the filament of said bulb into pro er focal position in said signal lamp and t en permanently secured in said first named sleeve in its adjusted position, substantially as described.

3. A signal lamp provided with a socket having bayonet slots unequally spaced therein, an adapter mounted in said socket, means for securing said adapter within said socket comprising a series of pins carried by said adapter unequally spaced in the same relation as the bayonet slots in said socket whereby said adapter may be placed in said socket in one position only, a sleeve mounted in said adapter in an adjusted position, an incandescent bulb mounted in said sleeve and provided with a filament, said sleeve being first adjusted within said adapter to brin said filament of said bulb into proper foca position in said signal lamp and then permanently secured in said adapter in such adjusted position, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I hereunto afiix my signature.

LOS C. KUEHNER. 

